I spent a morning touring the grounds of the summer palace. This is northwest of the forbidden city and the imperial family would escape government life to relax here. It is really a park and one can imagine what it would be like to be free to swim, walk through the woods, and be carefree. I enjoyed the beauty of nature and the smell of pine and cedar.
The gardens, temples, and pavilions are in harmony with nature. The Chinese name means Nourishing Peace Garden.
During the hot summer, the imperial family preferred the Summer Palace to the Forbidden City. Dowager Empress Cixi lived here for some time, with much speculation of extravagence.
History:
- In 1750, Emperor Qianglong, 4th Qing Dynasty emperor ordered the building of the first Summer Palace, named Qingyi Yuan or ‘the Garden of Clear Ripples’.
- In 1860, it was destroyed by the Anglo-French Allied Forces and rebuild in 1886.
- In 1888, the Summer Palace was given its present-day Chinese name, Yihe Yuan, and served as a summer resort for the Empress Dowager Cixi.
- In 1900, it was destroyed by the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers.
- In 1912, it was rebuilt as one of the final commissions of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
- In 1924, it was opened to the public.
It is beautiful!